WATER, AND ITS USES 103 



in hand with a knowledge of its geography. Its navigable 

 streams have affected in large measure the trade and indus- 

 tries of the country, and the location of its large cities. 

 Until the advent of railways, these streams were the chief 

 factors in determining the directions of development of the 

 country. By reason of a full knowledge of the streams of 

 one's own locality, and of their relationship to local affairs, 

 there is made possible a better understanding of the geog- 

 raphy and history of the state and nation, and of the more 

 distant parts of the earth. 



From a careful study of any good map of one's own county 

 or township 1 , it becomes possible by noting the direction of 

 flow of its streams, to determine among other things (a) 

 where the highest lands are located; (b) what apparently 

 influenced the location of the older settlements known to 

 have been made; (c) how railroads have affected the growth 

 of towns in the region studied; (d) what becomes of the 

 waters flowing out from that region; (e) the probable use 

 made of the streams for trade and industry. 



A study of the streams of any section, including their 

 rate of current and volume of flow, the character of ' the 

 banks and the beds of these streams, contributes much to an 

 accurate knowledge of the region in which one lives. Closely 

 associated with this should be a knowledge of the character 

 of the soils, of the natural and industrial resources of that 

 section, and of how its prosperity is related to all these. 



One of the most extensive wastes of natural wealth and 

 resources in the United States during the last half of the 

 nineteenth century was that of fertile soil from the surface 

 layers of its landed areas. Extensive forests covering a large 

 portion of the country were cut away, and as a direct result 

 of deforestation enormous waste by erosion went on year after 

 year. Following the breaking up of the sod covering of the 

 1 If neither is at hand make use of the largest available map of the State. 



